Got called out by my barista for 'aggressive couponing' last Tuesday

I was at the local coffee shop in Austin stacking a store promo with a manufacturer coupon and a cashback app. The barista noticed my binder of sorted coupons and said 'you know this isn't a competition, right?' It hit different because I realized I've been treating it like a serious sport instead of just saving a few bucks. That same day I had 8 coupons lined up for a single pound of coffee, and I was actually proud of it. Has anyone else had someone make them feel weird about how deep they go with coupon strategies?

3 comments

3 Comments

thomas_sanchez1mo ago

You mentioning a binder of sorted coupons really struck a chord with me. I think that barista might have touched on something deeper though, which is that we sometimes use these intense hobbies to feel in control when life feels chaotic. Saving money is smart, but when you have eight coupons for one pound of coffee it stops being about the money and starts being about the win. Maybe ask yourself what that victory is really replacing. I’ve seen people get like that with video game achievements or even collecting points for travel, and it’s the same kind of dopamine hit. It might be worth checking in with yourself to see if the savings are still worth the mental energy you’re putting in.

gray_morgan1mo ago

Is the payoff from that coupon binder really bigger than the feeling of being in control or chasing the win? Seems like those eight coffee coupons are just a way to scratch an itch that money can't fix, especially if you're not actually drinking that much coffee. Maybe the real savings would come from ditching the binder and finding a cheaper hobby that doesn't need so much organizing.

dylan_brown301mo ago

Ha man you just called me out and I'm not even mad. I've got a whole binder section for pet store coupons and I don't even own a pet anymore. That's the level of chaos we're dealing with here. You're totally right that it's more about the win than the actual savings. Like I get a little rush every time I file a new coupon in the right sleeve or find one that's about to expire. It's basically a free dopamine hit but also a huge time suck. Honestly maybe I should just admit I like organizing things more than I like saving money and start scrapbooking instead.